Melanie's Story

I was diagnosed in 2023 with Stage 2b ovarian cancer. I am currently cancer free. When i was diagnosed not even a year had passed since my beautiful mom passed away from Stage 4 ovarian cancer. So it's been a tough few years for myself, my family and friends. Before I was diagnosed I was having unusual cramping so I made an appointment with my gynecologist just to see what was going on. They did a vaginal ultrasound and what they thought they saw was a fibroid. So, I was actually very happy at first thinking it was a fibroid, but a few days passed and my symptoms became much worse. I started having a lot of lower back pain on that same side and I started feeling a lump there too. Also, when I would eat I would get full very quickly. So I made another appointment. They did another vaginal ultrasound and now saw some fluid building up so they sent me for a CT scan and a CA125 test. My CA125 test came back elevated and the CT scan showed possible ovarian cancer.

So they scheduled an appointment for me with Dr. Pinelli. I saw her on Tuesday afternoon and she scheduled me for surgery the very next day. I went into surgery praying it was a fibroid but when I woke up, I found out that it was ovarian cancer. I was devastated but Dr. Pinelli was right by my side to reassure me, and my family, that she got everything out. She was there every single day. I asked her one day - do you ever not work? She looked at me and said not when my patients are here. I will forever be grateful for you, Dr. Pinelli. You honestly saved my life with how quickly you got me into surgery. I am very blessed to have you as my surgeon.

She then referred me to Dr. Brandt for my chemo treatments. Dr. Brandt has helped me along this journey as well. She tailored my treatment plan to where I had very minimum side effects. She entertained all my crazy thoughts because I knew all the possible side effects from when my mom was going through chemo and sometimes ignorance is bliss. So thank you Dr. Brandt.

If I could give advice to help anyone, since I have been on both sides as a caretaker and cancer patient, it's don't wait. If you feel anything different from cramping to bloating, even feeling full quickly, go to the doctors and if they think it's a cyst or fibroid and you are still feeling uneasy press for more testing. Because waiting could be a difference from stage 1 or 2 to stage 3 or 4. I know I was very lucky that my symptoms started screaming at me. But my mom had symptoms of bloating and she kept putting it off. Ovarian cancer can go from zero to sixty in just weeks. You have to be your own advocate.